Tsunoda pins hope on 'best race yet' amid continued 2026 speculation
Yuki Tsunoda believes his performance at the Mexico City Grand Prix was "some of the best pace" he's shown since moving to Red Bull.
"What I've done today was, I think, good, and probably some of the best pace I've shown at Red Bull."- Yuki Tsunoda
It's been a challenging stint at the Austrian team for the Japanese driver after he replaced Liam Lawson just two Grands Prix in 2025.
After missing out on points at 12 Grands Prix this season, Tsunoda looked set to secure a third points-paid finish in four races after a solid first since at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez. But a late call into the pits and a slower second stint derailed those chances.
"Points were easily possible today, probably around P6, P7, so we just threw away the points from places, which I couldn't control," a disappointed Tsunoda explained in the Mexico City paddock.
"I think, to be honest, what I've done was pretty good. I've just lost the points with the area I can't control. Very frustrating
"I was not too far from Max. I was lapping pretty much the same. So, like I said, he ended up in P3, and I was not that far away in the first stint. Just the pit stop timing and pit stop itself resulted in a lot of steps backwards.
"What I've done today was I think it's good, and probably some of the best pace I've shown at Red Bull with long run pace. It is just the result that is a great shame."
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Red Bull stay silent on lineup decisions
Coming into Mexico City, there was plenty of talk as to whether Red Bull would finally make an official decision on their 2026 lineup. However, no comments were made by anyone in the Austrian team.
"I don't know. I'm sure you guys don't know when exactly they're going to decide it, and I don't know as well," exclaimed Tsunoda.
"But I think until today, especially today, I maximised, I have confidence, I maximised the things I can control. The pace, everything, the start, and getting points today were possible.
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"Hopefully, they consider that, but also, let's see. It's up to them. But I'll just keep pushing where I can control. That's it."
Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies, advisor Helmut Marko, as well as Racing Bulls team principal Alan Permane were all quizzed about the lineup news before racing got underway in Mexico.
After the Grand Prix, after it was believed a decision would be made in and around the Mexico City weekend, Mekies then announced that Red Bull "are not in a rush" to come to a decision.
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